Double shut-off fluid dispenser element

Abstract

In a bag-in-box fluid dispensing system including a bag fitment sealed over an opening in the fluid bag, a normally closed valved intermediate element sealed in the bag fitment, and a normally closed valved dispenser removably coupled to the valved intermediate element, the intercoupling of the intermediate element and the valved dispenser causing the valves in each unit to open for the passage of fluid from the fluid bag, an improved intermediate element having but two components, the improved element including a housing having a long skirt for passing through the bag fitment and into the fluid bag to prevent blocking of the bag opening, a valve set formed by the deformation of a circular opening in the end of the housing, and a normally closed axially movable valve member for mating with the valve seat and having a valve spring bias provided by the deformation of a novel hemispherical resilient member latched in the bore of the housing.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: 
     
       1. An improved valved element for interconnection between a tubular fitment sealed around an opening in a fluid container and extending from the exterior surface of the container, and a valved fluid dispensing member having a normally closed valve having an axially movable spring biased valve opening member, said improved valved element comprising: a resilient housing having first and second tubular ends, said first tubular end being sealable within the tubular fitment said second end being closed with an axial valve seat opened toward said valved fluid dispensing member;   an annular resilient ring formed around the second end of said resilient housing for sealing said housing to said dispensing member, said ring formed in said resilient housing and overlying an annular groove formed in the second end of said housing;   a tubular extension skirt on said first tubular end, said skirt extendable through the fluid container opening into the fluid container, said skirt having openings for the passage of fluid therethrough; and   elongated valve means axially movable within said resilient tubular housing and having a valve member at a second end and positioned to be axially moved into and from said valve seat by the spring biased valve opening member in said valved fluid dispensing member, said elongated valve means having a first end resiliently coupled to the interior surface of the first tubular end of said resilient housing, said elongated valve means remaining axially centered within said tubular housing by at least three longitudinally elongated fins radially extending from said valve means.   
     
     
       2. The valved element of claim 1 wherein said elongated valve means includes an axially movable resilient conical valve member and wherein the second end of said resilient housing has formed therein a tubular seat, said seat being the tubular wall of an opening in said resilient housing second end that is deformable from its tubular shape to the conical shape of said axially movable resilient conical valve member when said valve member is closed. 
     
     
       3. The valved element of claim 2 wherein the first end of said elongated valve means is substantially hemispherical and is locked in the first end of said tubular housing against axial movement, the resiliency of said hemispherical first end providing bias for urging said valve member toward said axial valve seat. 
     
     
       4. The valved element of claim 3 wherein the hemispherical portion of said elongated valve means contains a plurality of openings for the passage of fluid therethrough. 
     
     
       5. The valved element of claim 4 wherein said first end of said housing is formed with an interior ledge for locking said hemispherical first end of said elongated valve means against axial movement toward the first end of said housing.